Which Is Best for Your Skin: AHAs or BHAs?

Category: Dr. Zein Obagi

When purchasing skin care products, you may notice that some of them contain AHAs or BHAs. What exactly are these ingredients and what can they do for your skin? Well, AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acids, while BHA stands for beta hydroxy acids. Both of these acids are effective exfoliants to help get rid of dead and dull skin cells. However, certain skin types may be able to benefit from different acids. Read on to learn more about which one is right for you.

If You Have Dry Skin…

You can benefit from AHAs. Some common AHAs include glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids. These acids are great for sun-damaged and dry skin because they help to exfoliate and moisturize. AHAs may cause sensitivity to the sun for some people, so it is recommended you use them at night and wear SPF during the day.

If You have Acne-Prone Skin…

You can benefit from BHAs. These acids work deep within your pores to help release the dirt and bacteria trapped inside. Those with oily and acne-prone skin can particularly benefit from this. The most common BHA used today is salicylic acid.

Both AHAs and BHAs offer many benefits for your skin. Choosing the right products for you will help to ensure maximum effectiveness of these acids. At our office, we offer ZO skin care products that contain AHAs and BHAs. We recommend the Glycogent™ Exfoliation Accelerator for dry skin, and the Offects® TE-Pads Acne Pore Treatment for acne-prone skin.

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If you are interested in learning more about which products can best help your skin, contact our office today! We would be happy to help you find the right ZO product for you.

Did you know that the average American spends nearly half of a day staring at a screen? The Nielsen Company audience report reveals that adults spend about 10 hours each day consuming media. And many of us use our phone to consume media, as it’s portable and always available.

There has been a lot of research done about the damaging effects of blue light, or high-energy visible (HEV) light that is emitted from our devices, and it can take a toll on our vision and sleep patterns. It may also lead to pigment changes and accelerate the development of wrinkles and lines.

Exposure to HEV light damages the skin by impairing the skin’s natural barrier function. It reaches into the deeper layers of the skin to affect our collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid stores. This light also targets pigmentation, which may lead to unwanted uneven pigmentation or spots.

How to Protect Your Skin

Many skin care companies are now working to incorporate HEV blockers into their sunscreens so that they prevent both skin cancer and early signs of aging. ZO Skin Health is one of these companies, offering a complete line of both UV and HEV- blocking sunscreens. Some of our favorites include:

Oclipse-CTM Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen- This sunscreen has an SPF of 50, so you can be sure your skin is protected. It is great for sensitive skin, and protects skin from HEV, UV, and IR-A.

Oclipse Sun Spray- This sunscreen comes in spray form with an SPF 50. It protects the skin from HEV, UV, and IR-A and offers full coverage with an angles spray system.

Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer- This sunscreen protects and smoothes the skin minimizing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It also offers a tint and provides a great base for makeup and an SPF of 30.

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If you are worried about HEV light, be sure to wear HEV-blocking sunscreen every day! If you would like to learn more about ZO Skin health, contact our office today!

After a long summer in the sun, your skin will often show some signs of wear or damage. Now that the weather is growing cooler and your time in the sun will be reduced, this is the perfect time to consider chemical peels to help you achieve a clearer, more youthful complexion.

Chemical Peels

Here at Allegany Plastic Surgery, we offer two types of chemical peels: ZO 3-Step Peel and the controlled depth chemical. Chemical peels are great for the reversing of skin aging and sun damage. The acids in the chemical peels increase cell turnover in the skin, revealing a fresher complexion.

ZO 3-Step Peel

This peel is a simple peel that can be used for unwanted pigmentation and minor skin aging. This peel may be perfect for the younger patient or someone with a more sensitive skin type. Like most peels, your skin care practitioner will be able to customize your treatment to your skin by adjusting the application time before the solution is neutralized.

Controlled Depth Chemical Peel

The Controlled Depth Chemical Peel is medium depth peel that addresses both the epidermis and dermis. This peel is more advanced in comparison to superficial peels that do not penetrate any deeper than the epidermis. This type of peel is better for the more dramatic signs of aging due to its potential for a deeper reach. If you are interested in learning more about chemical peels and which one might be best for your skin, contact our skin care experts at Allegany Plastic Surgery!